The need to keep passengers safe and on schedule is
driving airports around the world to green-light high-tech upgrades or overhauls. And project leaders are
juggling new requirements and new risks: Tech-savvy
travelers expect smartphone apps that streamline
check-in and baggage claim processes, and intensifying threats from terrorist groups are speeding implementation of sophisticated new security systems.

Airports’ investment in IT projects increased to
US$8.7 billion in 2015 from just under US$6 billion
in 2013, according to air travel industry IT company
SITA. Such spending is likely to push higher as the
number of global air travelers continues to take off.
The International Air Transport Association projects 7
billion people will pass through airports by 2034—
double the approximately 3. 5 billion air travelers in 2015.

To handle growing crowds, some airports areturning to new tech to replace manual identificationverification screening. Facial recognition technol-ogy is being implemented as part of a US$2.2 bil-lion expansion project at Singapore Changi Airportthat’s scheduled to be completed in 2017. A similartwo-year pilot project was launched in 2015 atAruba’s airport. The technology matches travelers’faces to the biometric data contained in electronicpassports. (See “Face Value,” page 36.)

Implementing such cutting-edge technology in
a highly regulated, fast-moving environment—the
tech can’t be shut down for system maintenance—
can be daunting for project managers. “Airports
are mini cities, with a large number of stakeholders
with varying goals,” says Sikander Jain, program
manager and managing director, CH2M India,
Mumbai, India. While regulators and immigration
agents are focused on security, airlines also must
keep flights on schedule and provide a smooth
travel experience for passengers. “Everyone has a
different objective, which makes project planning
and delivery a huge challenge.”

FLIGHT PLAN

Airport IT project leaders juggle all the differentrequirements—security, reliability, ease of use—while ensuring technology adheres to all globalsafety and technical regulations, says Ian Stamat-akis-Brown, director of programs and projects forautomated security system provider Vision-Box,Lisbon, Portugal. “Security is the baseline for whatwe do, then we look for ways to improve the pas-senger experience.”To make sure projects meet all requirements, histeam zeroes in on engagement with airport spon-sors and contractors. Thorough documentation andstrong communication ensures that all equipmentarrives before project installation begins so theteam can complete the project in the shortest timeframe possible, he says.

“We also understand that all airports are different,
from design and lighting to the type of passengers
coming through, and we factor these differences into
the design of our products and solutions,” he says.

Checking all the requirement boxes is essential. Waiting until the end of the project to verify

IT’S TIME FOR
IT PROJECTS
TO FLY.

“Airports are mini cities, with alarge number of stakeholderswith varying goals. Everyonehas a different objective,which makes project planningand delivery a huge challenge.”